The shift toward the autumn season marks a transition from summer dresses and cool iced teas to cozy, wool sweaters and pumpkin spiced lattes. It also welcomes an array of hearty, comfort-inspired food trends that are sure to make you feel all warm and comfy inside!

So what type of new catering food trends and fall-spiration ideas will Toronto’s top caterers will be serving up this season? Read on and we’ll find out!

By the way, if you’re reading this, you must really LOVE food, right? Well, did you know that many of the caterers listed below are participating in this year’s annual Toronto Catering Showcase? Picture an entire afternoon indulging in pure culinary excellence – hosted by some of the city’s most talented catering chefs! The event is perfect for newly engaged couples in the throws of their wedding planning, corporate planners on the hunt for their new office caterer, or event hosting aficionados who love to impress their guests. Sound up your alley? Be sure to grab your tickets today!


24 Hour Braised Beef Short Rib

2018 Fall Catering

One of the most popular go-to menu options for fall is our 24-hour Braised Beef short rib. It sits on a bed of smoked sweet potato purée, charred broccolini, grilled baby bell peppers and a red wine jus. Certainly a crowd-pleaser that people love and just can't resist! The melt-in-your-mouth beef can be enjoyed without a knife! This makes it perfect for any type of event, whether you’ve got seating for your guests or it’s standing only.

Photo of Lauren Mozer
Lauren MozerFounder/Executive Chef
elle cuisine

Festive Stuffing Bites

2018 Fall Catering

Hot on trend for Thanksgiving and fall festivities, our Stuffing Bites are a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Mouthwatering stuffing is baked into a crispy prosciutto cup topped with zesty cranberry-orange sauce and a fried sage leaf. Many of our clients are getting more adventurous and moving away from serving the traditional turkey dinner to making food a part of the entertainment throughout their event. We recommend passed seasonal hors d’oeuvres like our mini turkey burgers, stuffing bites and pimento mac n’ cheese bombs coupled with some live action cooking on a feature food station to deliver that wow-factor.

Photo of Fia Pagnello
Fia PagnelloCEO
Kiss the Cook Catering

Beet and Arugula Salad

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This gluten free dish, made up of goat cheese, compressed squash, pickled fennel, horseradish crema, basil purée, maple walnuts and balsamic glaze is perfect for the fall - great colours and an even greater pop of flavour, what more could you ask for?

Photo of Adrian Niman
Adrian NimanFounder/Executive Chef
Food Dudes

Bacon Baklava

2018 Fall Catering

As fall quickly approaches, we’ve created some innovative twists on classic dishes like our Bacon Baklava. The sweet and salty combination of baklava topped with Gorgonzola, pistachio and candied bacon is sensational! Your guests will want to enjoy this by the spoonful’s during the holiday season – it’s quite addictive!

Photo of Jay Suppiah
Jay SuppiahExecutive Chef
Presidential Gourmet Catering

Candied Mackerel

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Mackerel is a testament to Toronto’s changing palette - cooked correctly, mackerel is delicious! This fall, we’ve seen a surge in mackerel on our event menus as Toronto welcomes this sustainable and flavourful fish for the first time. New to our fall and winter hors d’oeuvre collection, we introduce the Candied Mackerel. Chef / Owner Daniel has paired it with a Fennel Orange Salsa for sharpness and to include fall flavours and colours.

Photo of Karen O'Connor
Karen O'ConnorExecutive Chef
Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events

Herb Roasted Cornish Hen

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The fall season is one of our favourites because it gives us a chance to play with food items that are rich in colour and really pop. This is why we can’t get enough of our Herb Roasted Cornish Hen. Comprised of broccoli purée, charred sugar snaps, radish, manchego crumbs, romesco, heirloom carrots, king oyster mushrooms, and grilled lemons, this dish not only presents beautifully, but really captures the flavours of the season.

Photo of Toben Kochman
Toben KochmanExecutive Chef
Toben Food by Design

Stuffed Heirloom Tomato and Lemon Ricotta Salad

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We are really excited about our Heirloom Tomato and Lemon Ricotta Salad with arugula, basil and cellar radish, topped with balsamic and charred tomato vinaigrette. It’s a beautiful and vibrant dish that really makes a visual impact when served. The recipe was inspired by Chef Ryan O’Flynn at The Guild in Calgary, except we’ve added our own twist. When the guest cuts into the tomato, it reveals the light and fluffy lemon ricotta, adding another layer of deliciousness - perfect for fall!

Photo of Chris Couto
Chris CoutoChef
Oliver & Bonacini Events and Catering

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

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Forget everything you knew about Shepherd’s Pie. Our vegan take on this classic dish serves up golden russet potatoes, peas, carrots and lentils, all drenched in our savoury mushroom gravy. This dish will have you fall-ing for our elegant spin on a cozy classic.

Photo of Misha B.
Misha B.Founder
Upbeet Foods

Fall Fig & Almond Dessert

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This Fig and Almond Tart celebrates the bounty of fresh figs available in early fall. It pairs wonderfully with an almond cream filling. Our favourite honey for this dish is a fragrant one such as heather honey. Honey is used both to flavour the almond base and as a glaze. It is one of our most popular dishes to serve up this fall.

Photo of Sara McCulloch
Sara McCullochExecutive Pastry Chef
Encore Catering

Pan Roasted Ontario Duck Breast

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When you think of fall, sweet and savory flavors are the first that come to mind so we wanted to reflect all these flavors with a mouth-watering dish. I combined Pan Roasted Ontario Duck Breast, roasted Ontario grapes with puy lentils, caramelised shallots, broccolini, wilted kale and beet greens to make the perfect bite, while also embracing the fall season. I felt that duck is a stylish, unexpected alternative to chicken or beef, while also rich and flavourful!

Photo of RENÉ KRAMER
RENÉ KRAMERExecutive Chef
en Ville Event Design and Catering

Beef Barbacoa

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There's nothing more comforting during the brisk days of fall than a kitchen full of aromatic spices and hearty foods. Our kitchen is no exception! Our Beef Barbacoa starts out with the earthy scent of guajillo and ancho peppers marinating. Here they rest for 24 hours before going to the oven to be slowly braised with the addition of sharp, Mexican oregano, avocado leaves, coriander seeds, and a tiny touch of cumin. Hours later, it is impossible to resist the smell of that carefully braised beef and a barbacoa taco with that refreshing finish of pico de gallo.

Photo of Paola Solorzano
Paola SolorzanoChef
Santo Pecado Mexican Catering